Ofcom Pushing Through 5G Auction

Ofcom to push through with 5G spectrum auction despite legal objections from mobile network Three.

15:46 23 January 2018

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator is to push through with 5G auction despite Three’s ongoing appeal against the regulator’s ruling for spectrum allocation. The mobile network said that high limits could enable larger operators to snap up unfair amounts of spectrum.  

 

Despite the appeal, Ofcom is slated to publish auction regulations next week. However, the regulator will not be allowed to accept bids until the Court of Appeals rules on Three’s concerns, which were previously dismissed by the High Court.

 

Meanwhile, Ofcom hit out at Three for delaying access to the spectrum saying that it affects end-users.

 

“The litigation by Three is continuing to delay access to the spectrum,” an Ofcom spokesperson said.

 

“Ofcom considers that it is in the public interest for the auction to take place as soon as possible, in light of the significant and immediate demand for access to the spectrum, and the immediate and direct benefits to consumers of faster, higher quality mobile data services that can be offered using the spectrum.”